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Project Noah Nature School
Notius depressus
This bug had just broken out of its previous skin (above). It turned around for a while as if to say goodbye or maybe to see if it had forgotten anything before leaving. It's old outfit was dark aqua-blue whereas the new one is bright pink with red and yellow highlights, legs and antennae. I don't know if this colour remained or changed quickly in the fresh air.
Within the very thick and creviced bark of an E. crebra.
Could the white strands/strings relate to the breathing spiricules? There's a creepy face in the old shell. Note the old shell doesn't match the 'structures' in the new one but you can see how the old one was designed to open on the previous instar at http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/809...
Spotted on Apr 21, 2012
Submitted on Apr 21, 2012
14 Comments
Nice spotting and Hence info!
love pic #2 where he's removed his mask - good spotting !
Wonderful spotting!
Even the bugs in Australia are colorful and interesting. great information and photos
Thanks Lars.
Nice one, Argy
Thanks Viv and Cindy (I should have rolled the mouse down :)
Thanks pam, martin, shanna.
great spot, Argybee... It looks like it is soft and squidgy when it first moults!
Nice observation Argybee. This will be the fifth, most significant and final molt, where adult wings and shape appear. The soft color is normal for a few hours while the shell hardens. I cannot help with the fibres but I like the spirucle theory. The nymph is captured here http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/845...
Wow, great stuff!
Perfect timing Argybee!
Thanks Karen.
I'm getting really curious now about those white filaments... anyone?... martinl? oxyjack? ...
Cool spotting